Auto Bits: 3 dangerous driving distractions that may surprise you

By now, almost everyone knows the dangers of texting or talking on a cellphone while driving. But phones aren't the only distractions drivers should be aware of. Experts say that anything that draws your attention away from the road can be a potential cause of an accident. That includes actions and situations as innocuous as snacking behind the wheel or postponing a bathroom break. A study led by Dr. Peter Snyder, vice president of research for Lifespan, a Rhode Island-based health system, found that a strong urge to urinate can impair your functioning as effectively as drinking alcohol or being sleep deprived. And the effects of hunger, thirst and tiredness on attention spans and reflex times have been well known for years. Here are three other potentially distracting behaviors and situations that you might not view as risky:

- Eating and/or drinking - We all do it, especially when we're in a hurry to make an appointment, have skipped a meal or just can't make it through the rest of the drive without a cup of joe. But eating or drinking while driving involves taking at least one hand - and part of your attention - off the wheel. Consider the 2011 case of a woman in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Police said she hit a guardrail and flipped her Subaru when she spilled hot coffee during her morning drive. Fortunately, she suffered only minor injuries.

- Unrestrained pets - Many pet owners think of their dogs as their children. But while they're diligent about buckling up the kids and grandkids, they don't always secure their dogs while in the car. Allowing your pet to ride unrestrained - in your lap, beside you or in the backseat - is dangerous for you and him. A survey by AAA and Kurgo Pet Products found that 65 percent of respondents had participated in at least one dog-related distracting behavior while driving, such as petting (52 percent) or allowing the dog to sit in their lap (17 percent). Restraining your pet can help minimize driver distractions, restrict the pet's movement in case of a crash, and protect pets from potentially being harmed by inflating airbags.

- Rubbernecking - Slowing down or pulling over to get a better look at an accident not only displays a lack of tact, it could also cause another accident. If your eyes are on the crash you're approaching - or passing - they're not on the road ahead of you. As recently as August 2012, police in Greenbelt, Md., cited rubbernecking as the probable cause of a double accident that shut down a major highway during morning rush hour. A Maryland State Police spokesperson told the Greenbelt Patch that police see rubbernecking accidents “all the time.”

- Brandpoint

The List

According to Consumer Reports, here are the best new car deals for families:

2012 Honda Pilot

2012 Lincoln MKZ

2012 Ford Flex

2012 Mazda CX-9

2012 Honda Accord

2012 GMC Yukon XL

2012 Chevrolet Traverse

2013 Chevrolet Suburban

2012 Mazda5

2012 Toyota Highlander

2012 Ford Fusion

2012 Toyota Camry

Car Q&A

Q: I read your column every week and especially enjoy when you write about the new cars you test drive. Can you write on one?

A: Here’s the 2013 Ford Fusion turbo charged four-cylinder 2.0 liter mated to a six-speed automatic. Our test car had all popular options. The four-cylinder turbo acts like a powerful V-6. The car seats five and looks more like an expensive Aston Martin. There is no question that Ford has taken a lot of time and effort on this vehicle.